Recruiting: Box Taking It All In For Now

Robert Allen

02/21/2006

Quarterback/athlete Austin Box of Enid, Okla., is a busy man. Besides being one of the state's top early targets for football recruiters nationwide he is also one of the state's top baseball talents. In fact, if Mother Nature will let up on the recent winter weather he'd like to get back on the diamond.

"It's going all right," Box said of baseball. "We just need some warmer weather to get going again."

Box is a centerfielder in baseball with good speed, a good glove, and a big body that produces unusual power for a centerfielder. It's that combination of speed and power that has football coaches worked up over his potential.

"I have the offers from OSU, OU, Texas Tech, and just tonight I got the offer for a full scholarship from Nebraska," said Box. "I've also heard from a lot of other schools. The big ones are USC, Miami, LSU, Alabama and Kansas State. My parents are jealous because they get the bills and I get all the fun mail right now. Most of the schools are talking to me about playing strong safety or outside linebacker. That's cool, perfectly fine with me. I kind of pictured playing defense and that is what I prefer."

Box has been a mainstay at quarterback for Enid and last season posted some impressive numbers -- rushing for 815 yards and 13 touchdowns on 158 carries, while also completing 107-of-205 passes for 1,467 yards and 14 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. During his freshman season Box played primarily on defense and intercepted nine passes, so he is very capable of playing against the pass. He also returned kicks, including at least one for touchdown last season.

His father is an attorney in Enid and his mother is a guidance counselor. So does his family have any preference on a school?

"I really grew up an OU fan, and both my sister have gone there, so I am predisposed to OU," answered Box. "It's early and I'm just trying to take it all in. I'd like to try and go see some of the schools this spring but that depends on baseball and the schedule."

Box also said he has yet to decide whether he will make an early commitment or wait and take official visits. He said that is something he and his parents will sit down and discuss later. For now it's just fun to come home from baseball practice and see what the mailman delivered that day.